EU Travel Packages: Tourists’ Rights in Europe

Holidaymakers who have vacation packages in Europe are protected by EU legislation. Learn what to anticipate from tour operators in the European Union, as well as their cancellation and refund rights.

The number of vacationers ordering travel packages online has risen dramatically in recent years. While the ability to schedule everything online is convenient, some individuals are concerned about their protection if the trip does not go as planned.

The European Union published Directive (EU) 2015/2303– package travel and connected travel arrangements to increase consumer security in respect to package holidays.

The order became legislation on January 1, 2018 and has been in effect since July of that year. This EU regulation concerning holiday packages is detailed below.

Furthermore, travellers who have been impacted by the recent inconvenience caused by COVID-19 EU entry restrictions can learn about their rights to refunds and reimbursements in the case of cancelled holiday package travel.

PACKAGE TRAVEL AND LINKED TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

Package travel, according to the EU, is a combination of at least two different types of travel services, with a frequent example being a flight plus lodging booked from a single point of sale.

The services chosen are provided at an all-inclusive price and are typically promoted as a package.

A connected travel arrangement is an alternative to package offers. This occurs when two or more services are purchased as part of the same trip but under distinct contracts.

When individual services are selected and paid for during the same visit to the point of sale, or when the consumer is offered another service within 24 hours of completing the initial booking, the EU considers a linked travel agreement to apply.

INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED BY EU TOUR OPERATORS

Before a consumer enters into an agreement with a merchant, they must be given the following information about the trip package:

• Number of nights plus the dates
• Transport included with departure and return times, stops and connections
• Details of the accommodation
• Meals to be provided
• Visits or any other additional services
• The total price of the holiday package, taxes and extra costs included
• Optional or compulsory insurance to cover invalidation of the contract by the consumer
• Details regarding the suitability of the trip for people with reduced mobility
• Approximate size of the group, in the case of group travel
• Minimum number of people required for the vacation package trip to go-ahead
• Passport and requirements for entering Europe with a visa waiver or visa

Before signing the agreement and engaging into a trip package contract, travellers should carefully review all of the information supplied by the organiser.

REQUIRED DETAILS AFTER SIGNING THE TRAVEL PACKAGE CONTRACT

After completing the contract, the buyer should get a confirmation document with crucial trip data, such as the following:

• Information about procedures for handling complaints
• Special requirements requested by the consumer and accepted by the retailer
• Contact details to allow the traveller to get in contact with the organiser rapidly

The organiser is also required to give appropriate vouchers, tickets, and other pertinent information well in advance of the holiday’s start date.

When processing passenger information, tour companies in Europe must also follow EU data protection regulations.

CAN THE ORGANISER INCREASE THE PRICE OF THE PACKAGE?

The merchant can only raise the price of a vacation package if it is indicated in the contract that this is allowed.

Price increases are typically restricted to 8% and can only be passed on to the traveller if they result from:

• Fuel or other power source costs
• Increased third-party taxes or fees
• Changes to exchange rates

Customers have the right to be notified of any price increases at least 20 days before the start date of their vacation package.

WHEN CAN A TRAVELLER CANCEL A PACKAGE HOLIDAY?

A consumer has the option to cancel a contract at any time before the commencement of the package by paying a charge.

If the organiser makes significant modifications to the contract, such as a price increase of more than 8%, the client has three options:

• Accept the change to the package deal
• Accept a substitute holiday of equal or higher value than the existing deal
• Cancel the contract and receive a refund for any payment already made within 14 days

In the event of unavoidable or unusual events in or around the trip destination that have a substantial impact on the package offer, the customer will be refunded.

COVID-19 CANCELLATION AND TRAVELLERS’ RIGHTS

National travel prohibitions imposed across Europe to safeguard public health during the coronavirus outbreak have caused considerable inconvenience.

The EU issued suggestions on the distribution of vouchers as an alternative to a refund on May 13th. While recognising the impact of the epidemic on the travel and tourist business, the European Union recognises customers’ rights to reimbursement.

Travelers who have had their package holiday cancelled due to the coronavirus have the right to a full refund within 14 days of the contract’s cancellation. Tour operators may give a coupon that may only be used in place of a refund if the consumer accepts it.

With consumer refund requests outnumbering new bookings, the travel and tourism sector has been put under pressure. To save organisers from going bankrupt as a consequence of financial losses, the EU suggested suggestions for making coupons more enticing.

RECOMMENDED CHARACTERISTICS OF VOUCHERS OFFERED FOR CORONAVIRUS CANCELLATION

The European Union has issued some guidelines to tour operators that are providing travel vouchers to travellers whose flights have been cancelled due to coronavirus. These are my recommendations:

• A minimum validity period of 12 months
• To be used as payment towards any package travel offered by the organiser
• Possibility to allow vouchers to be used for bookings with other entities that form part of the same group
• Transferable to another person at no additional cost
• Consider making the value of the vouchers higher than the price of the original package deal

The EU further suggests that Member States consider establishing insolvency guarantee programmes to ensure that voucher holders are compensated if the travel operator goes out of business.

WHAT RIGHTS DO CRUISE PASSENGERS HAVE?

Cruises are often classified as package travel by the EU. As a result, they are covered by the directive mentioned at the start of the article.

As a result, cruise lines are required to help passengers in distress, including transporting them to the port of disembarkation specified in the package contract.

Passengers whose cruises were cancelled due to the ongoing epidemic are also entitled to a refund or voucher compensation.